Resting is Important Self Care

Dear Ones,

In my past life, I would have either poo-pooed resting or told myself I was resting, but relentlessly planning and/or trying to figure out what things about my life I needed to fix. This pattern is a mix of social conditioning and my upbringing. “No rest for the “wicked”, “Buck up and soldier on”, "Bite the bullet." Just to name a few and I know you have all heard one or all of these.

I have asked myself the question “why is being busy, a way of living that we are encouraged to practice ?“ and “where did this start?”  Why indeed are we all caught up in looking busy, being busy and if you are not busy you are judged as being not driven enough, aimless and probably lazy.  I belief that we were not put on this planet to achieve more, life has to have balance and that means achieving is not more important than resting.  To be "more" in life requires both.

Resting is necessary for emotional and physical health - period. The body needs downtime to rejuvenate energy stores, make the necessary repairs and to bolster the immune system. We Humans are not machines and need to acknowledge the essentialness of self care to a well rounded healthy life.

I invite you to nurture yourself with the gift of rest. Not planning, not scrolling on the phone, just practicing holding space for all of you with gentle compassion. You are worth it. And yes, I now regularly practice the “Art of Rest” and savor it.

Resting Practices:

Walking in nature.  Meditation. Yoga.  Letting your senses drink in your surroundings.  Breathe slowly.  Read.  Allow thoughts to float away.  Do nothing and love it (what a concept!).  Check in on your internal organs and send them love.  

Cultivating compassion for you while you are resting. 

Happy Resting!

With warm appreciation,

Caroldean Jude,

Somatic Trauma Therapist

Somatic Experiencing Practitioner

Transforming Touch Practitioner

Internal Family Systems Therapist